A study by ESPN's Bill Barnwell has identified the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers as the second-oldest team in the NFL after adjusting for snaps played, with an average age of 28.2 years. Only the Washington Commanders were older. The team featured several veteran players and continues to prioritize experienced talent.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 roster stood out for its age, according to analysis from ESPN's Bill Barnwell published on March 17, 2026. After adjusting for snaps played, the Steelers ranked second overall among the NFL's oldest teams, behind the Washington Commanders. Their average age was 28.2 years, with the fourth-oldest offense and defense contributing to this position. The five oldest teams were the Commanders, Steelers, Vikings, Falcons, and Broncos, while the youngest included the Packers, Jets, Seahawks, Cowboys, and Eagles. Barnwell shared these snap-weighted age rankings via a post on X (formerly Twitter). The roster included prominent veterans such as quarterback Aaron Rodgers, defensive back Jalen Ramsey, defensive lineman Cam Heyward, cornerback Darius Slay—who played half the season—and edge rusher T.J. Watt. Pittsburgh has consistently ranked among the league's older teams, pursuing a win-now strategy with experienced players rather than rebuilding with rookies. This approach kept them competitive for playoffs but resulted in a one-and-done Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans last season. Looking ahead, Heyward is returning, and Rodgers may do the same. Recent free agency moves added more veterans: wide receiver Michael Pittman (turns 29 in October), cornerback Jamel Dean (nearing 30), defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day (31 soon), safety Jaquan Brisker (27 in April), and running back Rico Dowdle (28 in June). The team holds a dozen draft picks for late April, potentially selecting 9-10 players to lower the average age. Barnwell noted no strong correlation between team age and success. Among the four oldest teams, three missed the playoffs; half of the four youngest did not advance. New England, in the top half for age, reached the Super Bowl, and Seattle, the third-youngest, won the Lombardi Trophy.
